Measuring 3D Video Quality of Experience (QoE) Using A Hybrid Metric Based on Spatial Resolution and Depth Cues.

A three-dimensional (3D) video is a special video representation with an artificial stereoscopic vision effect that increases the depth perception of the viewers. The quality of a 3D video is generally measured based on the similarity to stereoscopic vision obtained with the human vision system (HVS). The reason for the usage of these high-cost and time-consuming subjective tests is due to the lack of an objective video Quality of Experience (QoE) evaluation method that models the HVS. In this paper, we propose a hybrid 3D-video QoE evaluation method based on spatial resolution associated with depth cues (i.e., motion information, blurriness, retinal-image size, and convergence). The proposed method successfully models the HVS by considering the 3D video parameters that directly affect depth perception, which is the most important element of stereoscopic vision. Experimental results show that the measurement of the 3D-video QoE by the proposed hybrid method outperforms the widely used existing methods. It is also found that the proposed method has a high correlation with the HVS. Consequently, the results suggest that the proposed hybrid method can be conveniently utilized for the 3D-video QoE evaluation, especially in real-time applications.

Enhancing Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) with Parenting Skills: RCT of TRT + Parenting with Trauma-Affected Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Utilising Remote Training with Implications for Insecure Contexts and COVID-19.

Child psychosocial recovery interventions in humanitarian contexts often overlook the significant effect that caregivers can have on improving children's future trajectory. We enhanced the well-established, evidenced-based child trauma recovery programme Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) intervention with parenting sessions, i.e., TRT + Parenting (TRT + P), which aims to improve parent mental health and their ability to support their children's mental health. We describe the findings of a three-arm randomised controlled trial comparing enhanced TRT + P vs. TRT and waitlist. The primary aim was to test if children in the enhanced arm of the programme show improved child and caregiver mental health. We recruited 119 Syrian refugee children and one of their caregivers in Beqaa Valley in Lebanon. They were randomised to the TRT, TRT + P, or waitlist control group. Data were collected at baseline and 2 weeks and 12 weeks post intervention. Training of facilitators was via remote training from the United Kingdom. Results showed a highly consistent pattern, with children in the enhanced TRT + P group showing the greatest levels of improvement in behavioural and emotional difficulties compared to children in the TRT or waitlist control groups. Caregivers in the TRT + P group also reported significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress. Findings indicate that the addition of the evidence-based parenting skills components has the potential to enhance the effects of interventions designed to improve children's mental health in contexts of trauma, conflict, and displacement. Implications for COVID-19 remote learning are also discussed.

Neurotrophin-3 provides neuroprotection via TrkC receptor dependent pErk5 activation in a rat surgical brain injury model.

BACKGROUND: Surgical brain injury (SBI) which occurs due to the inadvertent injury inflicted to surrounding brain tissue during neurosurgical procedures can potentiate blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability, brain edema and neurological deficits. This study investigated the role of neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) and tropomyosin related kinase receptor C (TrkC) against brain edema and neurological deficits in a rat SBI model. METHODS: SBI was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by partial right frontal lobe resection. Temporal expression of endogenous NT-3 and TrkC was evaluated at 6, 12, 24 and 72 h after SBI. SBI rats received recombinant NT-3 which was directly applied to the brain surgical injury site using gelfoam. Brain edema and neurological function was evaluated at 24 and 72 h after SBI. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for TrkC and Rap1 was administered via intracerebroventricular injection 24 h before SBI. BBB permeability assay and western blot was performed at 24 h after SBI. RESULTS: Endogenous NT-3 was decreased and TrkC expression increased after SBI. Topical administration of recombinant NT-3 reduced brain edema, BBB permeability and improved neurological function after SBI. Recombinant NT-3 administration increased the expression of phosphorylated Rap1 and Erk5. The protective effect of NT-3 was reversed with TrkC siRNA but not Rap1 siRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of NT-3 reduced brain edema, BBB permeability and improved neurological function after SBI. The protective effect of NT-3 was possibly mediated via TrkC dependent activation of Erk5.

Evaluation of cesarean scar after single- and double-layer hysterotomy closure: a prospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine if there is a difference in the size of the cesarean scar defect using saline infusion sonography (SIS) performed on the postoperative third month in patients who underwent single- or double-layered unlocked closure of their uterine incision during their first cesarean delivery. METHODS: This study was conducted as a prospective cross-sectional study between February 2015 and January 2016 in patients admitted to the labour ward of the Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital who subsequently underwent their first delivery by cesarean section. Patients with a previous history of cesarean delivery, preterm pregnancies less than 34 gestational weeks, patients lost to follow-up or those who had an IUD inserted after delivery were excluded from the study. Out of the 327 patients who underwent primary cesarean delivery, 280 were included into the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the single- (n:126) or double-layered (n:156) closure of their uterine incision. The maternal age, height, weight, obstetric and gynecologic histories, medical histories, indications for their cesarean delivery, technique of uterine closure, birth weight of the baby, duration of the cesarean delivery, need for extra suturing and transfusion were recorded. A Saline infusion sonography (SIS) was performed 3 months postoperatively to determine the presence, depth and length of the cesarean scar. The residual myometrial thickness overlying the scar defect and the fundal myometrial thickness were recorded. RESULTS: No difference was detected between the groups with respect to patient characteristics, whether the operation was elective or emergent, the type of anesthesia used, need for extra suturing, incidence of bladder injuries or uterine atony, need for blood transfusions, duration of labour or cervical dilatation and effacement between the two groups. No statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups with respect to the length and depth of the scar defect. CONCLUSION: Single- or double-layered closure of the uterus does not seem to affect the size of the uterine scar defect detected on SIS 3 months following the first cesarean delivery.

Subfoveal choroidal thickness in preeclampsia: comparison with normal pregnant and nonpregnant women.

PURPOSE: To compare the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in preeclampsia, normal pregnancy, and non-pregnant women using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). METHODS: One hundred nineteen volunteers were enrolled in this prospective and comparative study. The participants were divided into three groups: group 1 (33 preeclamptic women), group 2 (46 normal pregnant), and group 3 (40 non-pregnant healthy women). The SFCT was measured by EDI-OCT. The refractive error, intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) were also measured. Medical records of pregnant women, including gestational age, maternal weight gain, weight, and proteinuria, were noted. RESULTS: Mean SFCT of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 333.8 ± 55.3 µm (range 235-440 µm), 368.6 ± 67.6 µm (range 223-517 µm), and 334.8 ± 59.9 µm (range 197-432 µm), respectively. The mean SFCT was thicker in group 2 than that in groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.045 and p = 0.038, respectively), whereas no significant difference was seen between groups 1 and 3 (p = 1.0). In group 1, SFCT showed a negative correlation with the CCT (p = 0.009, r = -0.493). In group 2, SFCT showed a positive correlation with OPP (p = 0.030, r = 0.321) and a negative correlation with gestational age and fetal weight (p = 0.008, r = -0.387 and p = 0.011, r = -0.373, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that SFCT was significantly thicker in normal pregnant women than non-pregnant women. However, SFCT values of preeclamptic women were similar to those of non-pregnant women.

Evaluation of subfoveal choroidal thickness in pregnant women using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) measured by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) in pregnant women. METHODS: In this prospective and cross-sectional study, 100 pregnant women and 100 age-matched nonpregnant women were enrolled. The SFCT was measured by EDI-OCT. The refractive error, intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) were also measured. Pregnancy-related factors including gestational age, maternal weight gain, and fetal weight were noted. RESULTS: Mean SFCT was 371.1 ± 61.8 µm in the study group and 337.2 ± 62.4 µm in the control group (p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between SFCT and spherical refraction, IOP, AL, CCT, OPP, gestational age, maternal weight gain, or fetal weight. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that subfoveal choroidal thickness increases in pregnant women compared with age-matched nonpregnant women.

Effect of body posture on intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure in nonglaucomatous pregnant women.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of different positions on the intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in nonglaucomatous pregnant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one women in their third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled in this prospective and observational study. IOP in both eyes was measured with a Tono-pen® in the sitting position (Si-P), in the supine position (Su-P), in the right lateral decubitus position (R-LDP), and left lateral decubitus position (L-LDP). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (sBP and dBP) were measured with a digital automatic blood pressure monitor at after 10 min in each position. Mean blood pressure ([mBP] = dBP + 1/3 [sBP-dBP]) and mean OPP (OPP = 2/3 mBP-IOP) were also calculated. Three IOP measurements were performed by the same clinician at the 15th min in each position. RESULTS: The mean IOP was 13.6 ± 3.4 mmHg in Si-P; 16.7 ± 3.5 mmHg in Su-P; 16.4 ± 3.5 mmHg in the R-LDP, and 16.6 ± 3.7 mmHg in the L-LDP. IOP was significantly lower in Si-P compared to Su-P, R-LDP, or L-LDP. The mean OPP was 46.41 ± 5.54 in Si-P; 39.71 ± 6.96 in Su-P; 36.81 ± 6.57 in the R-LDP; and 33.53 ± 7.63 in the L-LDP. OPP values were significantly different between each body position when multiple comparisons were performed. CONCLUSION: According to our data we conclude that Si-P yields the lowest IOP and the highest OPP compared with Su-P, R-LDP, and L-LDP in healthy pregnant women.

Preliminary validation of the Child Abuse Potential Inventory in Turkey.

This study aims to provide preliminary findings on the validity of Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAP Inventory) on Turkish sample of 23 abuser and 47 nonabuser parents. To investigate validity in two groups, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Psychopathic Deviate (MMPI-PD) scale is also used along with CAP. The results show that, with the 200.5 cutoff point, which is the average score of the whole Turkish sample, Abuse Scale correctly classified 83% of the participants in the abuse group and 78.8% of the participants in the control group, which gives 21.2% false-positive result. MMPI-PD to all group and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis is found to be significant for both groups. These results show us high reliability and validity of the abuse scale for Turkey.